Rs 492 cr approved for NE roads

New Delhi (Agencies): To strengthen infrastructure in militancy-hit northeastern states, the government on Friday said it has sanctioned about Rs 492.36 crore for road projects in the current financial year to strengthen infrastructure in militancy-hit northeastern states.

These projects were sanctioned for the states of Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim and Tripura.

"We are committed towards improving roads and communications in the entire North East region which has suffered because of poor infrastructure. This is a priority for us," Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) B K Handique said.

Handique also asked the eight state governments to fast-track sanctioned projects for the benefit of people.

Out of the sanctioned Rs 492.36 crore, Rs 69.92 crore has been "approved from the non lapsable central pool of resources (NLCPR) Fund for road development work in four districts of Arunachal Pradesh," an official statement said.

The four districts are Changlang, West Kameng, East Siang and West Siang.

The ministry has also given in-principle approval for Rs 48.50 crore funds to build additional roads in the state.

The DoNER Ministry has sanctioned a total of Rs 196.7 crore for development of roads in Arunachal Pradesh during the current fiscal.